Wheys



May 29, 1923. 1 l Re. 15,616

G. D. LUCE v CANE S TRI PPER Orf-gum Filed Jan. s, 1911 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES: 47a f. /Qq INVENTOR. MV@ By lATTORNEY ske. 15,616 (i.l D. LUCE y CANE STRIPPER May 29, 1923,.

`,omgmal Filed Jan. s, 1911 v sheets-sheet `z MV ,U5 Qq INVENTOR.

WITNEssEs: M j y BY- ATTORNEY LMay 29, 1923;/

G. D. LUCE CANE STRIPPER Orl-gl-nal Filed Jan. 5,

1911 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNEssEs'.-

n. 9. W l... 0m, 2 v. a M

6 'Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed'Jan. 5, 1911 Il .Ulla

' M ATTORNEY WTNESSES May 29, 1923.

y G. D. LUCE CANE STRIPPE'R Original Filed Jan. 5, 1911 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 @n fi?) /Nvfuron i? x. a*

ar kms- 4 l 2m Q Ao/Mfrs- May 29, 1923.

G.. D. `Lucia CANE STRIPPER Original Filed Jan. 5, 1911 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 WK ATT HNEYS 20 brushes, which remove the Reuma -may 29,1923.

UNITED STATES Re. 15,616l

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. LUCE, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR TO LUCE CANE l H LBVFSTEB CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION F DELA- WARE.

. CANE STBIPPEB.

yOrllnal lo. 1,058,817, dated Iebruaryl, 1913, Serial No. 600,917, led January 5, 1911. Application f for reisiue led February 17, 1915. Serial No. 8,940.

To wimmit y Be it known that I GERGE D. LUCE, a

citizen of the United tates, and a 'resident of New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of- Louisiana, haveinvented a new and Improved Cane Stripperof which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. l This invention relates to sugar cane harvesters, and the object of the `invention is to produce a machine which can be advanced allon rows .of cane, and which will operatehil top the stalks of cane and strip` the leaves from the stalks.

The invention concerns itself, further, with providing means for raising the stalks which are not erect, and for advancing the stalks-through the machine while being operated upon by the .topping knife and the eaves from the f stalks. l

The invention consists in the construction andcombination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set 26 forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompang' ing drawings forming a part of this speci cation, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures. v

Figure 1 is a perspective ofthe machine constructed according to my invention, and viewed from the front; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of a art of the mechanism of the machine pro]ected upon a plane parallel with the plane in which the-stalks are Fguided in passing through the machine; ig. 3 is a section at-right angles to the path `of movement of the cane through the machine lustrating the manner in w ch the vstalks are guided through the machine and presented to the-topping knife which cuts of the upper ends ofthe stalks; this view also illustrates the means for re lating the height of the topping knife; t is section is.

ward the right; it illustrates especially the in the vicinity of the toppingl knife, and il`I arrangement for presenting the stalks to the brushes when removing the leaves therefrom; Fig. 5 is a view looking down on the machine and projected upon a plane parallelswith the path of movement of the conveyer. chains which advance the vstalks through the machine; Fig. `6 is a side elevation s howingtwo opposite .links of parallel chains'which are used in the advancing mechanism for `the stalks, and illustrating especially the manner in which the two parallel chains are connected', this view is upon an enlarged scale; Fig.` 7 is a vertical section through two adjacent links and illustrating theV construction of the conveyor chains used in the machine; this view is upon an enlarged scale; Fig'. 8 is a detail p an showing the knives or cutters which cut oif the tops of the stalks of cane; Fig. 9 is a perspective view, illustrating especially the rear frame work of the machine and the cutting mechanism and the means for raising and lowering the cutters; Figl 9^ is a side elevation showing'in detail t means for supporting the rear end of the cutter frame; and Fig. 10 is a. plan view of the rear portion of the machine, illustrating especially the means for driving the different shafts which run the machinery.

Referring more particularly to the parts `and especially to Figs. 1 and 10, 1 represents the truck of the machine, `which is a substantially rectangular frame, as shown, present? ing parallel Side bars 2 and a rear bar 3, said rear bar having an extension or arm 4 which rojects beyond the side of the truck frame or a purpose which will appear more `fully hereinafter. The side bars 2, 2 are .united integrally at the forward end of the machine by an arc 5, and at the point where this arc 'joins the straight portions of the side bars 2, the ends of a semi-circular bow 6 are rigidly` attached. .This bow 6, together with the arc 5, forms a bearin of Isubstantially circular form, which 1s supported upon a fifth wheel 7 which is rigidly attached to the forward truck 8 of the machine. axle 9 carrying forward wheels 10, and to T he forward truck 8 includes the I the forward truck a tongue or any other suitable means 'is attached, which enables the vehicle to be drawn along by draft animals. The side bars 2 are provided at suitable points with brackets 11, which afford vmeans for mounti the rear axle 12, the said rear axle carrying the rear wheels 13, as shown. Near the vrear portion of the frame 1 4and at the left side thereof, there is attached ri idly to the side bar,a rear stanchion 14. his stanchion extends upwardly and'inclines toward. the front of the inachine. At an intermediate oint on the body of this stancliion there 1s rigidly attached a main guide bar 15, which extends across the machine in an inclined direction, so thatv the lower end of the bar rojects downwardly at the right of the mac ine, as illustrated 1n Fig. 1. The forward portion of this main guide bar is su ported upon a brace 16 attached tothe si e bar 2k at fthe right of the frame. Above the main guide bar 12S-an auxiliary bar 17 is attached. The body of this bar is disposed substantially arallel with the bar 15, the forward and lower end being inclined downwardl and attached rigidly to the upper face of t e'bar 15, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The rear end of the bai' 17 is bent at right angles to the body thereof, forming an end bar 17, and is attached to the guide bar, as will be readily understood. The bar 15, together with the bar 17 and contiguous parts, constitute a main guide frame for guiding. the stalks in their .passage through the machine, as will a pear hereinafter. The bod of the bar 17 is attached to the upper en of the main stanchion 14. On the left side of the frame 1, forward ofthe stanchion 14, a forward stanchion 18 is rigidly attached, and this. stanchion, extends upwardly and forwardly in an inclined position and substantially parallel with the stanchion 14; it is held securely in position by means of an inclined brace 19, which connects it at an intermediate point upon its length with the side bar of the frame to which it is attached. To the up r portion of this forward stanchion 18, andxiit an intermediate point thereof, an auxiliary guide bar 20 is attached. This guide bar is disposed parallel with the main ide bar 15, and a short distance thererom, so that a guide space for the stalks of cane is formed between the two bars. The forward end and lowed end of this auxiliary guide bar 20 isheld securely in position by means of a brace 21 which is ri idly secured to the side bar 2 at the vrightand side of the machine. Above the auxiliary uide bar 20 a frame bar 22 is provided whic is similar to the bar 17, its body being disposed parallel with the auxiliary bar, havin an nclined extension disposed forwardly,w ich is attached to the auxiliary guide bar as shown'. The rear end of the bar 22 is formed into an end bar 22a which. extends at right angles to the body thereof, and is secured'to the ide bar 2O as shown. The upper end of tg: stanchion 18 attaches to the body of the bar 22. The auxiliary guide bar 20,

together with the frame bar 22 and contiguous parts, constitute an auxiliary guide frame for guiding the stalks of cane as they pass through the machine. The stanchions 14 and 18 are rigidly connected together by a cross brace 23, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 2. Upon this cross brace 23 there rests a guide channel, chute or gutter 24. This channel is disposed in an inclined position at a lower level than the guide bars 15 and 20; its lower end projects slightly at the right of the machine, and is opened out so as to form an expanded mouth 25 which receives the lower ends of the stalks, after being cut olf, in a manner which will now be described.

Referring especially to Figs. 9, 9A and 10, to the end of the extension 4 at the right of the frame 1, a bracket 26 is attached, which bracket extends downwardly and is provided with a plurality of openings or holes 27, for

supporting the rear end of the cutter frame 28. This cutter frame comprises a straight or main arm 29 and an auxiliary or offset arm 30, the two arms being attached together at their rear ends and connected by a pivot bolt 31 which passes through one of the openings 27 to support the frame as in-- dicated. To the forward ends of the arms 29 and 30 a hanger bar 32 is rigidly attached' .hanger 33. In this hanger 33 rotatable adjusting screws 34 and 35 are mounted, the said screws being provided with sprocket wheels 36 which are connected by a chain 37. The screw 35 is extended upwardly to form a spindle 38 surmounted by a hand Wheel 39 for rotating the adjustingscrews in unison, as will be readily understood. These screws 34 and 35 have a vthreaded connection with the bar 32 which they support. Evidently from this arrangement, by rotat-A ing the hand wheel 39, the forward end of the cutter frame 28 may be raised or lowered to adjust the same, as desired. The rear end of the cutter frame may be adjusted by means of the pivot bolt 31 in the open- 'ings 27. Thehanger 33 is formed with inte ral downwardly extending side arms 33 w ich are forked so as to guide the bar 32. These arms are pivotally attached to the side bars 2 by the bo1ts33hv as shown.

At the forward end of eachvof the arms 29 and 30, cutters or cutter disks 40 are/pro- These cutters are ro-..

and passing around-rear sprocket wheels 43.

Rigid with these sprocket wheels 43 bevel a driving sprocket wheel 49, the latter sprocket wheel being carried rigidly upon t the shaft 12 to which is rigidly secured one of the rear wheels 13, as illustrated in Figure 10. From this arrangement it should be understood that as the machine advances, the cutters 40 will be rotated continuously,

lso that if the stalks of cane P-ass into the 2'5 51 from which va sprocket chain 52 extends rearwardly, passing around a sprocketwheel 53 carried on a countershaft 54 mounted transversely at the rear of the frame, as shown. In the rear portion of the frame in the vicinity of this point, a special shaft frame vor bearing frame 55 is supported in an inclined position, the forward end being attached to a forward bracket 56 attached to the right-hand side bar 2. The rear portion of the frame 55 is supported upon a bracket 57 attached to the forward stanchion 18` The shaft frame 55 is formed with an arm 58, which constitutes a bearing for a. main driving shaft 59. This shaft extends upwardly in an inclined direction, being driven from bevel gears 60 at the countershaft 54. The upper end of the driving shaft-59 is provide with a bevel gear wheel 61, and this bevel gear meshes with a corresponding bevel gear wheelv 62 which is carried upon a line shaft 63. This shaft 63 extends longitudinally of the main guide-bar 15 aforesaid, being rotatably mounted thereupon in suitable brackets 64; its lower end is provided with a bevel ear wheel 65 which drives a corresponding evel gear wheel 66 mounted on a stub shaft 67, the said stub shaft having a rigid sprocket wheel 68 on the forward face of the guide bar. Adjacent to this point the main uide bar 15 is provided with an extension l ar 69, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The upper portion of this bar is The lower end of the extension bar 69 is provided with a sprocket wheel 72, around which extends a sprocket chain 73, the said chain being provided with projecting dogs 74. The extension bar 69 constitutes a nose which projects itself under the stalks of cane which may bevnot in an erect position, and raises the stalks so that they will pass through the throat 50 between the cutters 40 to be cut off thereby. The direction of movement of the chain is that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2. The body-of the extension bar 69 is mounted, near the adjusting screw 70, upon a post 75, to which it is adjustably attached in any suitable manner. In this way the elevation of the lower end of the exwtension bar may be adjusted with respect to the ground level. I

Opposite to the sprocket wheel 71 referred to above, and at the upper end of the main guide bar 15, a similar sprocket wheel 76 is provided, and-around these sprocket wheelsan endless chain 7 7 passes. This chain constitutes the main feed chain, and is provided at intervals with dogs 78 formed integrally from the links thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 7. These dogs project outwardly from the guide ba'r 15, so thatthey projectacross the space between this guide b ar and the guide bar 20, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 5.- The driving side 79 ofthe chain 77, that is, the side toward the guide bar 20, is held olf from the guide bar 15 by means of a lurality of arms 80. In Fig. 5 I have i ustrated four of these arms; the details ofthel construction of these arms are illustrated in Fig. 3.l Referring to this figure, it will be observed that the guide frame 15 is formed l of channel iron, and in the flanges 8l of the channel, stems 8.2 are slidably mounted, the said stems projecting from the bar at the side toward the auxiliary frame 20, at which point they are formed with bifurcatedheads 83 carrylng small sprocket wheels 84, as shown; these sprocket wheels 84 are engaged by the/chain. Around the stems 82 I provide springs 85 which, at their forward ends, thrust against collars 86 on the stems 82, and tend to force the chain toward the opposite ide frame, as will be readily understood.

It will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 6 that the forward end of the chain 77 passes through the opening of the chain 7 3; that is, the chains 77 and 73 are looped through each other. In order to drive the chain 77, the main drivin shaft 59 is provided, near its upper en with a sprocket, wheel 87 about which passes a sprocket chain 88. This chain passes to the upper and rear end of the main guide bar 15, where it asses around a sprocket wheel 89 which is rigid with the sprocket wheel 76 already described. I

.As indicated most clearly in Fig. 5, the forward end of the auxiliary guide bar 20 is formed with a laterally projecting arm 90,

at the'end of which a pair of sprocket wheels 91 are arranged. At the adjacent end of the guide bar sprocket wheels 92 are arranged,

'and similar lsprocket wheels 93 are mounted at the opposite end.4 Around these sprocket wheels a double chain 94 passes as shown, the said chain being composed of two distinct chains 95 and 96 which are connected at intervals by transverse dog bars 97, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3. These dog bars 97 connect the dogs 98 of the chains in thel manner illustrated in Fig. 6 and near its middle point each bar is provided with a notch or cut 99 in the edge thereof,which enables it to clear the dog 78 of the opposite chain. The side or run 100 of the double chain 94 is backed by guide pulleys -101 a-r-.

ranged o, the inner sides of the chain, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The sprocket wheels 93- are rigidly attached to a shaft 102 as shown clearly in Figs. A1 and 2, and this shaft extends downwardly and is providedlat its lower end with a rigid sprocket wheel 103 which can just be seen in Fig. 2 below chain 83. The lower end of the shaft 102 is rotatably mounted in the guide bar 20, while the upper `end is rotatab'l mounted in a suitable bracket 104 attachedY to the upper frame 22. `Around the sprocket wheel 103 there runs an endless sprocket chain 105, and this chain runs inwardly along the guide bar and passes around a sprocket wheel 106 which is rigid upon the driving shaft 107. This driving shaft 107 extends downwardly and passes rotatably through the shaft frame 55. The lower end of this shaft 107 is provided with a beve1 gear .1.0.8 which meshes with a corresponding bevel gear 109 carried by the aforesaid countershaft 54. From this arrangement it should be' understood that as the shaft 107 rotates, it drives lcontinuously the double chain 94. In addition to this double chain 94, I provide an upper chain or' top chain 110 having dogs 110, This chain runs parallel with the lower chain, and is about half the len th of the auxiliary guide bar 20. At one en it passes around a sprocket wheel 111'which is rigidly attached to the upper portion of the shaft 102, as indicated in Fig. 5. One. part of this chain is guided along parallel with andabove the in'ner vrun of the double chain 94, passing around a suitable sprocket wheel 112 at its right end, as shown. The rear run of the chain'- v110 asses around the body or drum 1'13- of a brush 114, which brush is mounted upon an upright shaft 1.15 and thus forms a guide for said chain, in addi-tion to its other func"- tions. The drum 113 is provided with a plurality of outwardly' projecting beaters or farms 116, and the shaft 115 is continuously driven by means of a sprocket chain 117 which passes around a sprocket wheel 119 rigid on the shaft 115, and a sprocket wheel 118 rigid on the .shaft'59 as indicated most clearly in Fig. 2. The brush 114 I call the first brush, as it operates on the sugar cane before the second brush 120, which is mount! ed on the opposite side of the guide opening through whichl the cane passes. As the shaft 115 is rotatably mounted in the auxiliary guide frame, so is the shaft 121 of the brush 120 similarly rotatably mountedin the main guide frame. The shaft 121 is driven by a sprocket chain 121a assing 'around a sprocket wheel 107a on the shaft 107, and around a sprocket wheel 121b on the shaft 121. The brushesare similarly constructed. Near the brushes, guide bars 122 and 123 are provided, which are slightly curved as shown, and pass between the arms or beaters of the brushes, 'as indicated. They present convex or outwardly curved guide edges, which permit of the stalks sliding along in contact with the brush, but they prevent the stalks from becoming caught therein.

I Referring again to the shaft 59, and especially to Fig. 2, this shaft is provided with a l vis rotatably mounted in the shaft frame 55,

and it extends upwardly, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, the upper end being rotatably mounted inca suitable bearing 128. The upper portion of the shaft 127 is formed intoo an angular or square neck 129; on this neck 129 a knife carriage 130 is adapted to slide, the said knife carriage bein provided with a knife 131, comprising a hu 'with oppositely projecting-knives 132v formed there upon. As indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, the., knife carriage 130 is provided with a sharpened cutting'edge 133, and it should be understood that as the knife rotates, a shear or scissor action occurs at this edge 133, the forward edges of the blades 132y being sharpened, as will be readily understood.

Upon the upper part of the carria e 130, a i

guide bracket 134 is attached, the orln of which Vis clearly shown in Fig. 3; it consists `facefof the first brush l114, as shown very clearly in Fig. 2. As indicated in Fig. 5, the

free end of this spring or presser r 135 projects inwardly toward the brush.

It should be understood that as the cane is fed into the space between the guide-frames, the upper ends ofthe stalks are out oil -by the rotating knife. The knife carriage is intended 'to be raised or lowered so as to suit cane of different height. VFor this purpose,

the bracket is mounted so as to slide on the neck 129, and it is supported in any position by means of 'a cord 136, which passes down over a guide-pulley 137 attached to the bar 22. From the point of attachment of the pulley 137, an inclined vbrace 138 extends downwardly, and this brace is provided with a drum 139, about which the cord 136 may' wrap, as indicated. The drum 139 is adapted to be rotated by a crank 140, the handle of which is provided with a sliding sleeve v141. This sleeve has a projecting sleeve 142 Fig. 5, and rojects over near the face of the second brus 120. From this arrangement the cane1 after comin from the first brush 114, is passed over an across xthe face of the second brush. In this way the brushes perate to remove the leaves from the stalks.

Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the knife carriage 130 is guided at its ends upon thev guide bars 145, which are arranged parallel to each other, their upper ends being, attached to thebar 22, and their lower ends to the auxiliary guide bar 20.

The mode of o eration of the entire mechanism will now is advanced through the standing cane in such a way that the vcutters or disks 40 present themselves to the row of cane. cane should have fallenl down, the extension 69 on the forward end of the main guide bar 15 operates to raise the cane so as to enable the stalks to be cut off as described. As the stalks are cut off, they pass rearwardly into the guide space between the guide frames, and are ladvanced along `the same by the chains 77 and 94. As .the stalks ad'- vance in this way, their upper ends come under the guide bracket 134 and are cut off by the rotary knife 131. After this the stalks are advanced past the first brush l114 against which the presser or spring 135 holds them. Beyond this point, they advance and are forced over against the second brush, where the brushing operation is repeated. In this way the brushes operate efectively to remove the leaves from the cane. The guard bars 122 and 123 operate effectivel to present the cane from becomir enlyed in the beaters of the brushes. ft-er leavin the second brush 120, the cane passes towar the rear of the guide frames, and eventually passes outl of engagement with the chains, and then falls to the `ground or,

e described. The machinev If the into a wagon for treatment in the cane mill. Special attention is called tothe ide channel or chute 24, which receives the ower ends of the stalks immediately after they are cut ofi'. This channel supports the lower ends of the stalks in their complete. movement through the machine, and assists in guidin the stalks to the brushes. The chains7 and 94 above, also 4grasp the stalks and drag the lower ends of the cane up into the channel. Special attention is called, also, to the sprin arms 80 (Fig. l5) which yieldingl holds t e stalks of cane in position as t ey pass through the machine. In this Way the chain' 77 which runs over the arms, can move backwardly so as to accommodate unusuall large bundles or bunches of the stalks as t e advance.

Referring especially to Fig. 1, attention is called to the arrangement of the forward end of the double chain 94, and especially to the run of the chain between the pulleys 91 and 92. This run of the chain forms a large angle or V with the forward end of the chain 77, which operates as a ide so as to bring the stalks into the space tween the uide frames.

ere lthe expression diagonall thereof is used herein with reference to t e stripping mechanism, it is meant in the sense that the axis of the stalk and the axis of the stripper are inclined to each other at an appreciable angle at the instant Aof stripping. This causes a much more efficient and uniform stripping action than can be obtained when the stripping brushes are arran ed with their axes substantially at right an es to the axes of the stalks.

aving thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Let- `able carriage 'carryin said knife and mounted within one of t e guide frames, vertically disposed brushes mounted in the guide frames in the rear of said knife, guide arsfor guidingthe stalks from one brush to another, and a knife carriage an stalks ,in their passage by t (guide bar carried b said arranged to gui e the e knife and from the knife to the first stripping brush in the v rear of the knife.

2.. In aharvester, in combination, a frame, gulde frames forming between them, a

stalk channel, means for advancin cut.

roller supported in one of the guide framesa rotatable shaft mounted in said guideY frame, a knife carriage movably mounted on said guide frame, a knife carrled by said carriage and having a splined connection with said shaft, and a crank mounted in the frame and having connection with the kn1fe carriage whereby'the knife may be ad]usted vertically during the operation of the ma chine.

4. In a harvester, in combination, a frame, guide frames supported thereupon and disposed apart to form a space to receive the cane stalks, conveyer chains supported on said guide frames and adapted to advance the stalks of cane therebetween, a brush having bristles or teeth carried by one of said guide frames, a second brush of like character carried by the other of said guide frames, guard bars disposed across sald brushes and through their said bristles or teeth, and means for pressing the stalks against said guard bars as they pass.

5. In a harvester, in'combination, a frame, a guide frame mounted thereon, means for advancing cut stalks along the latter frame, a rotatable upright shaft mounted in said frames, a knife carriage movable on said shaft, a horizontally lcircular knife in said carriage and s lined upon said shaft, a hand operated rum mounted on the frame, and a flexible connection between said drum and said carriage for adjusting the knife.

vertically.

6. In a harvester, in combination, a frame, means forming a stalk channel in the frame and for advancing cut stalks rearwardly in the channel, and including spaced guide frames, a rotating knife supported by one4 of said guide frames for topping the stalks, a stripping brush also supported( by one of said ide frames and :disposed in the rear of sald topping cutter, a bracket plate opposite the `topping knife and adapted to guide the stalks from said knife to the-said brush, a second stripping brush supported by the guide frame upon the opposite side of the channel to, and in the rear of, said first stripping brush, and a presser bar extending angularly across the channel for guiding the stalks from the first stripping rush to the second brush.

y7. In a cane stripper, a, conveyer for the cane inclined upwardly and rearwardly,

means for supplying the cane to said conveyer, and rotary stripping means adjacent to said conveyer and having its axis inclined forwardly of the machine.

8. In a cane-stripper, a oonveyer for the severed stalks, and stripping means angularly disposed with reference to the cane presented thereto 'for stripping the same progressively from top to bottom.

9. In a cane stripper, a conveyer for holding the severed stalks during stripping and successive rotary strippers vmounted on separateV shafts and provided with flexible fingers or bristles and having their axes angularly disposed with reference to the cane presented thereto to succeively strip the stalks diagonally thereof.

10. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane, and means for stripping lthe cane against the direction of movement thereof.

11. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane, and means for stripping the cane diagonally downward'.

12. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane, andl means for stripping the cane diagonally downward against the direction of movement thereof.

13. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane, and rotary brushes for stripping the cane downwardly.

14. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane, and means positioned entirely above said conveying means for stripping the cane while conveyed by said conveying means.

15. In a cane harvester, conveying means for gripping and firmly gripping the severed cane intermediate the ends thereof, and means for stripping the cane only above the point at which it is gripped by said conveym means. v

16. n a cane harvester, means for firmly` gripping and conveying the` severed cane, an brushes for stripping the conveyed cane.`

17. In a cane harvester, endless traveling members for firmly gripping and conveying the severed cane, and brushes for stripping the conveyed cane.

. 18. In a cane harvester, means for yieldlngly but firmly 'pping and conveying the severed cane, an

nveyed cane.

19. Inl a cane harvester, means for conveying the severedcane rearwardly, and forwardly moving means actingat each side of the path of travel of the cane for stripping the cane.

f 20. In a cane harvester, means for conveymg the severed cane rearwardly, and forwardly rotating brushes acting at each side of the path of travel of the cane for stripping the cane.

.21. In a cane harvester, means for gripi ping and conveying the severed cane, lndmeans for stripping the means for supporting the lower ends of the conveyed cane.

22. Ina cane harvester, means for gripping and conveying the canecomprising endless chains engaglng the cane on opposite sides and arranged to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the cane, and supporting means for the cane butts extending under and-'substantially parallel with t-he chains.

23. In a cane harvester, means for conveying the severed cane. means for supporting the lower ends of the conveyed cane, and means for stripping the conveyed and supported cane.

ving it through the machine, a butt support for the cane extending under the conveyin means, and a rotary topping knife mount above the conve ing means and acting to top the cane while carried by the conveying meansv andwith its butts supported by the butt support.

27. In a cane harvester, means for convey'- ing the severed cane, means for supporting the lower ends of the conveyed cane, an

means for topping and stripping the oonveyed and supported cane.

gripping the cane between its ends, butt supporting means extending under the con, veylng means and supporting the butts of the cane while it is conveyed by the conveying means, and stripping brushes for stripping t-he upper parts of the cane, said butt supporting means serving to prevent tilting of the cane with respect to the conveying` means while it is being stripped.

29. In a cane harvester, means for topping the severed cane, and means for stripping the cane vafter it has been topped.

30. In a cane harvester, rneans for cutting the cane, means for topping the cane after it has been cut, and means for stripping the cane after it has been topped.

31. In a cane harvester, means'for conv veying the severed cane, and means for successively topping andstripping the conveyed cane.

32.In a cane harvester, upwardly extending rotary brushes adapted t-o strip the cane, and means for rotating saidbrushesto cause a -forward stripping movement.

33. In a cane harvester, forwardly and upwardly inclined rotary strippers having flexible bristles vadapted to strip the cane, and means for rotating said strippers to' cause a forward stripping vmovement 0f said bristles.

34. In a cane'harvester, rearwardly moving means Afor conveying the severed cane, and forwardly moving means for stripping the conveyed cane, acting upon each side of the cane.

35. In a canefharvester, rearwardly an upwardly moving means for conveying the severed cane, and vforwardly and downwardly moving means for stripping the conveyed cane.

36. In a ,cane harvester, 'a rearwardly extending conveyor for gripping vand conveying the severed cane, and rotary means for stripping the conveyed cane, the axis of rotation ofsaid stripping means being at an angle with the4 plane of movement 'of l said conveyor. y

37. In a cane harvestermeans for conveymg the severed cane, and means for'supporting and guiding the lower ends of the conveyed cane.

38. In a cane harvester, means for gripping the 'cane and conveying it through the machine, andl a rotary topper having an outwardly projecting blade for striking off thevtops of the cane as it is conveyed past a A. to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the 28. In a cane harvester, conveying means cane, and topping means acting to top 'the cane while conveyed by the chains.

40. In a cane harvester, means for gripf so conveyed. I

41. In a cane harvester, means for gripioo ping andconveying the cane comprising a pairy of endless chains engaging the cane onv one side and a chain engaging the opposite side of the cane between the two first named chains, said chains being arranged to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the cane, and rotary strippin brushes located at each side ofthe vpath o travel of the cane for stripping the cane while,v so conveyed.

l42. In a cane harvester, means .for gripping and conveying the cane comprising a pair` of endless chains engaging'the cane on one side ahd a chain engaging the oppositeside of the cane between the two first named chains, said chains being arranged to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the cane and being inclined upwardly and rearing under the conveyor chains for supporting 'the butts of the cane as it is conveyed through the machine by the conveying means, and means for stripping the cane diagonally downward against the direction of movement ythereof while so conveyed and supported.

44. In a cane harvester, means for gripping and conveying the cane comprising endless chains engaging the cane on opposite sides thereof said chains being arranged to exert a yielding gripping pressure on the cane, a buttv support extending below the conveyor chains, and rotary stripping brushes acting to strip the cane agalnst the direction of movement thereof while it is conveyed through the machine bv the chains with the butts of the cane su ported on said supporting means.

n testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature inthe presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE D. LUCE. Witnesses:

DANIEL JUMP, J. A. LAUTENSCHLAEGER, Jr. 

